Learning Track
Seacoast and ARC Members & Staff - to see a PDF of the detailed learning track table, CLICK HERE. The table above correlates a series of five-topic packages with the various levels in the Seacoast pipeline, beginning with the Small Group Leader. With the expectation that Campus Directors and the Seacoast Pastoral Staff members will carry the heaviest responsibilities, each of those levels has two packages associated with it. Seacoast's existing SALT curriculum will be used at the Small Group Member level to raise the overall level of biblical and ministry competence in the campus congregations. Each package consists of five related topics and uses a three-tier pricing model. That model permits participants to choose: 1. ONLINE MATERIALS ONLY - Students may choose a "materials-only" level for online/distance courses. The books and CDs are purchased; students work at their own pace, and have no structured contact with a CIU professor, but use a Seacoast mentor in the "leadership pipeline." Participants who complete a package of five topics at the seminar level would qualify for a Seacoast "certificate" giving them internal recognition for their study. The titles for the various certificates in the attached table, of course, are only suggestions. They simply serve to indicate one way in which Seacoast might offer certificates. Participants who are interested in earning a CIU credential would complete all topics for credit. Each set of two packages (10 courses) would permit participants to earn a series of CIU degrees in "building block" fashion. Completing 10 courses (30 semester-hours total) permits an individual to earn the Biblical Ministry Certificate. Adding 10 courses to the Biblical Ministry Certificate (60 semester-hours total) permits an individual to earn the Master of Arts degree. Adding 10 courses to the Master of Arts degree (90 semester-hours total) permits an individual to earn the Master of Divinity degree. For most packages, four of the five courses would be delivered in online format, giving participants maximum flexibility. It would be possible for Seacoast to facilitate the online courses in such a way as to create a greater sense of community and support if that would be desirable. Participants could meet periodically to talk through course content together and to discuss the practical application of what they are learning. At least one course in each package would be delivered in face-to-face format, possibly four weekends (6:30-9:15 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday) during a four-month semester. The face-to-face courses are important to foster student-teacher relationships and to strengthen the partnership between CIU and Seacoast (putting a "face" to CIU in the same way that campus directors put a "face" to Seacoast). The third package reverses the delivery systems (four face-to-face; one online) because of the nature of the topics involved. Those topics (leadership, counseling, teaching, and teamwork) lend themselves more naturally to face-to-face study. Another factor to consider is that accreditation requires students who pursue either the Master of Arts or the Master of Divinity to complete at least 10 courses in residence. It is necessary, therefore, to offer students the opportunity to meet that requirement. Generally speaking, it would probably be best to offer individuals at each level the opportunity to pursue the related package three-to-six months after they have been in their role rather than at the beginning or making it a prerequisite for the role. For example, if completion of the Leader's Certificate were a prerequisite to become a Small Group Leader, it might be viewed as an obstacle rather than an incentive. Similarly, requiring completion of the certificate when individuals have just begun to serve as a small group leader might well overload them before having a chance to learn the role. On the other hand, individuals who have been in the role for some time are more likely to see the need for additional equipping and to appreciate what they are learning. Seacoast Church Contact: Mac Lake, Leadership Development Pastor, (843)881-2100, maclake@seacoast.org. |
